How to Protect Your Skin From the Sun While Wearing a Bikini

As our desire to protect our skin in the sun increases with age, we wanted to share some practical tips on how to keep your skin safe while sporting your favorite bikini.  While the tips below may not result in a golden-bronze tan, we hope they help you find the perfect balance for your skin.

Apply Reef Safe Sunscreen Often

Although it can be tempting to grab the cheapest sunscreen on the shelf, make sure to check ingredients first to ensure it does not contain ingredients that can be harmful to coral reefs.  Ingredients to avoid include oxybenzone, octinoxate, Butylparaben, avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and para-aminobenzoic acid -PABA.  One of our favorite reef safe sunscreen brands is All Good based in southern California.  The general rule of the thumb is to reapply sunscreen every two hours.  If you are swimming it would be best to reapply more frequently, about every 45 minutes to stay safe.

Wear Sun Proof Accessories

One of the best ways to ensure your face does not get too much sun exposure is to get a cute beach hat and wear it at all times when out of the water.  There are so many adorable sun hats to shop from but we recommend getting one with an extra large brim to not only offer your face protection, but neck as well.

Having an oversized beach shirt is a go to as well.  Typically made of linen, the right beach shirt will be such a complement to your outfit people may not even realize its there for sun protection.

Plan Outdoor Time Wisely

UV rays are typically strongest between 10am and 3pm, with some saying as late as 4pm.  If you have the flexibility in your schedule to go to the beach or pool earlier in the morning, or later in the afternoon to minimize the amount of time you are in peak sun, all the better.  If your schedule is not as flexible, see the below tip for how to protect your sun during peak hours.

Find an Umbrella or Shade During Peak Sun Hours

Any form of shade offered, whether that be from an umbrella, tree, or beach tent, will do much to protect your skin if you are out during peak sun hours from 10am - 3pm.  Although they can take a little time to set up, a little pop-up beach tent can comfortably house a small group of people and give plenty of shade.  A large beach umbrella is another great option for shade while being affordable and incredibly easy to set up.  Both are great options to be able to enjoy the beauty of the beach without having to worry too much about unwanted sun exposure.